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Thread: Heat shrink joining square and round tubing - GIF

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  1. #1
    Supporting Member Altair's Avatar
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    Heat shrink joining square and round tubing - GIF

    Heat shrink joining square and round tubing.




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    carloski (Jul 26, 2022), durrelltn (Mar 13, 2022), elk-a-holic (Mar 9, 2022), emu roo (Mar 5, 2026), flyfr8rs (Mar 13, 2022), johncg (Mar 9, 2022), mdhatter3 (Mar 8, 2022), Ralphxyz (Mar 9, 2022), Scotsman Hosie (Jul 3, 2022), Sleykin (Jun 28, 2022)

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    Supporting Member Frank S's Avatar
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    square to round transition via drink bottle,,,,,,Hummm, could probably do this with gutter down spouts as well .
    Never try to tell me it can't be done
    When I have to paint I use KBS products

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    baja (Mar 13, 2022), cognitdiss (Apr 29, 2024), elk-a-holic (Mar 9, 2022), emu roo (Mar 5, 2026), mdhatter3 (Mar 8, 2022), Moby Duck (Mar 12, 2022)

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    Supporting Member desbromilow's Avatar
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    aircraft modellers do a similar trick where they make up a small wooden form of a cockpit window, then shrink the PET bottle over the top to make the "cockpit glass", and then cut out the bottom to release the wooden form.
    I've done similar to make ogive transitions for model rocketry.

    The only constraint you have is that the PET won't easily shrink to less than the original "cast" diameter. PET bottles are made from blanks which are approximately the diameter of the neck where the lid screws on, so it's difficult for them to shrink less than that.

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    Supporting Member baja's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by desbromilow View Post
    aircraft modellers do a similar trick where they make up a small wooden form of a cockpit window, then shrink the PET bottle over the top to make the "cockpit glass", and then cut out the bottom to release the wooden form.
    I've done similar to make ogive transitions for model rocketry.

    The only constraint you have is that the PET won't easily shrink to less than the original "cast" diameter. PET bottles are made from blanks which are approximately the diameter of the neck where the lid screws on, so it's difficult for them to shrink less than that.
    I have used liquid yeast for beer brewing and the containers used to be liter soda bottle blanks before they were blown up. Now they sell it in plastic containers somewhat similar to ketchup packets.

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    Supporting Member Ralphxyz's Avatar
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    How do you center things? Nice idea!

    Ralph

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    emu roo (Mar 5, 2026)

  11. #6
    Supporting Member desbromilow's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ralphxyz View Post
    How do you center things? Nice idea!

    Ralph
    As long as you are close, and you heat evenly, the surface tension of the shrinking plastic should centre the pieces for you - based on the concepts of equalising forces, and minimised surface area.



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    Supporting Member Floradawg's Avatar
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    I didn't know you could shrink that. That's good to know.
    Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed.

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    emu roo (Mar 5, 2026)

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